McHenry County Department of Health
(MCDH) reports its 2nd rabid bat, found by a homeowner, on August 13 outside a
dog run at an Island Lake residence. There was no human exposure.
This incident supports the need for pet owners to keep their animals up to date
on rabies vaccinations.
In order to test bats for rabies, it
is important they be in good condition (i.e. head is intact) – either alive or
recently deceased. Specimens in good condition and test negative for
rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment following human exposure.
State-wide, 23 rabid bats have been reported in eight counties and the city of
Chicago. Last year, McHenry County reported two rabid bats -- bats reported
statewide totaled 63. Following reporting guidelines from the State
Health Department, only in cases of confirmed exposure will bats be submitted
for testing.
The best way to avoid rabies is to
avoid exposure. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks
the central nervous system and can only be confirmed in a laboratory.
Keeping cats and dogs current with vaccinations will not only keep them from
getting rabies but also provide a barrier of protection for you if your animal
is bitten by a rabid animal. Most bats leave in the fall or winter to hibernate
so these are the best times to "bat-proof" your home. A fact sheet on
bat exclusion can be viewed at www.mcdh.info.
Residents are encouraged to take a
“hands off” approach to wild animals to reduce their risk of exposure.
Children should also be educated about the dangers. A bat that is active by
day, found in a place where bats are not usually seen (such as in your home, in
a swimming pool or on the lawn) or is unable to fly, is more likely than others
to be rabid. To learn more about rabies prevention, visit the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
Questions about exposure should be
directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.
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